The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-24
The Chancellor Participates in the Debate
and Gives His Reasons for Making Ger
tain Concessions to the Catholics.
Emperor William Returns Thanks for
HOn0rs and COurtesies Shown Him.
Judge Boyd Issues a Warrant for the Arrest
of Another Priest for Contempt-MiS-
cellaneous News by the Gable.
BISMARCK'S POLICY.

The Chancellor Tells why He Proposes
Making Concessions to Catholics.
BERLIN, March 23.-The Oberhaus to day, in
plenary session, began the discussion of the
ecclesiastical bill. Prince Bismarck made long
speech in defense of the measure He said that,
as regarded the question Of religious orders, the
chief point to be determined was whether Cath
olic citizens needed the orders 1t was certain
that Catholics believed in the value of the or
ders, and their sentiments should be
satisfied and in harmony with the leeis-
lation of the country. The state natural
" had an interest in the good training
of priests. Such training they could acquire as
we'll at seminaries as at universities. The bit
terest enemies of the government came from
universities, not from seminaries. Referring to
the law requiring ecclesiastics to give notice to
the state of appointments, Prince Bismarck de-
clared that he had not attached special inpor-
tance to this provision, especially in view of his
experience that ecclesiastics who for years had
exercised their functions under the very eyes of
the government changed their dispositions as
soon as they became bishops The government
had not made too large concessions to the Cath
oics. nor had it given up any
never desired lasting struggle with
the curia. AS early as 1875 he had called Car
dinal Antonelli's attention to the danger pre-
sented by the formation of a special Catholic
political party, and ever since the curia had
manifested peaceful disposition. He had pre-
pared programme Of peace to realize which
he had now worked for ten years. Through
the proposals before the House. he hoped to
obtain lasting peace. If that expectation
should not be fulfilled the measures now pro-
posed could easily be rescnded. 1t was neces-
sary that the Center party, which entered into
relations with all the elements that were hos
tile to the state and empire, be deprived of all
pretext for opposition. It was out of regard
for the unity Of the Nation, and because of the
dangers threatening that unity, that he initiated
the present ecclesiastical bill, doing SO with q
full recognition of his responsibility. Whether
or not the bill would lead to the establishment
of a religious peace could not yet be known, as
the leaders of the Center had placed themselves
in opposition to the Pope. No less dangerous
than the Progressists were the subversive tend
encies of the lower clergy, in whose removal the
Pope and the Emperor have an equal interest
! If the Pontiff and the Emperor were alone, the
| opposition Of Windthorst and the Center would
| have no further significance. In conclusion, he
| urged the whole House to adopt the bill with the
| commissions amendment.
| Bishop Kopp, who preceded Prince Bismarck
| in the debate on the ecclesiastical bill. made :
conciliatory speech9 He said: 1--WE thank ou
aged monarch for having, in conjunction will
the head of our church. entered path enabling
a prosperous connection of church and state t.
exist We also thank the government for it
concessions in the bill before US. They are val
uable. We Catholics say so and the Holy Se
| judges them as such" He concluded with de
fense of the Catholic orders. which, he declared
were organic institutions of the church and un
deserving of the attacks made upon them FL
| hoped that the church and the governmen
would arrive at an understanding on the subject
| Minister Won Gossler then spoke, after whicl
| the House adjourned.